William H. Marshall was born in Chewah, South Carolina, to Edward and Amanda Marshall on January 16, 1872, one of 13 children. In 1926 he married Mildred Conear and they had two children, Nellie and William. He graduated from Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina. After his graduation he taught English to earn enough money to continue his education.

He was fluent in five languages: the King’s English, Latin, Spanish, French and German. He sang his way through medical school with the Meharry and Fisk University Jubilee singers. In 1903 he graduated Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He taught a few years at Meharry to earn enough money for his specialty – obstetrics and gynecology – which he pursued at Northeastern University at Evanston, Illinois.

Dr. Marshall practiced medicine in Chicago originally. He established an office with his dentist brother, Dr. Vereen M. Marshall, for whom the Southeastern Regional Dental Association, covering the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, is named. Dr. Bill assisted his dentist brother financially through dental school.

Dr. Bill moved to Beloit about 1930 and thereupon began serving many people in all walks of life. It is said that 85% of the babies born to black families were brought into this world by Dr. Marshall. This was the beginning of the Great Depression and so many patients were poverty stricken and could not pay for their health care needs. However, Dr. Marshall would serve them anyway.

Former patients from the Chicago area followed Dr. Marshall to Beloit, especially those in need of long-term care, e.g. Mr. Budd Abbott, founder and owner of the Chicago Defender, a nationally circulated black newspaper. Dr. Marshall served mostly the black community; however, he served Hispanics and white patients from Beloit and the nearby communities.

Dr. Marshall, aside from the practice of medicine, assisted in civic affairs and served as a catalyst in developing cultural and intellectual interests in Beloit among the black citizens, especially in the fields of music and drama. Dr. Marshall was a great orator and was invited to present lectures often in and out of the state of Wisconsin.

He had a melodious tenor voice and was often invited to render vocal selections on programs. He was director of the Second Methodist Church Choir. He took the lead in assisting the Reverend Hermes Zimmerman with fund raising toward the building of the Second Methodist Church.

In 1947 Dr. Marshall became blind from glaucoma. He still served in the capacity of consultant, advisor and counsel for many. He was a big influence in many lives by encouraging several Beloiters to continue their education. Two outstanding leaders resulted from his persistence as a sponsor in their lives: George Hilliard, M.C and Andrew Reneau, both of Beloit, who practiced their professions in Milwaukee.

In 1950 Dr. Marshall moved to Milwaukee to live with his daughter. He died on June 12, 1956 and was buried in Beloit, from his home church, next to his wife who had died in 1950.